By Jeanni Ritchie

Joe Domina, known to many as Backpacker Joe, is returning to Central Louisiana as he drives back to his home In Indiana.

Backpacker Joe began a cross-country trip across America on foot in August of 2023. His goal was to pray for America while specifically praying against the love of money, attention/distractions, status, fear of man, and sex outside of marriage. Mid-journey he added self-preservation to his list as he began noticing how much fear was in the people of this country and their coping mechanism became control.

I understood that well as it was one of the last things I was able to let go of in my quest to fully surrender to the Lord. Joe simply quotes John 12:25: Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. (NLT)

In all, Backpacker Joe traveled 3375 miles in 346 days, attending masses and other denominational services, visiting sacred shrines, filling eight journals, and meeting and praying with people along the way. He relied on the Lord for food and shelter, staying on the side of the road, in backyards, at bus stations, gas stations, cornfields, with friends and family and welcoming hosts, restaurant drive-throughs, in offered Airbnbs, and once on a Hollywood sidewalk. The purpose was never about time or distance but the journey itself.

In some ways it was two different journeys. He’d traveled for five months in relative anonymity before reaching Natchez, Mississippi where his story began circulating on social media. By the time he reached Central Louisiana, Joe was somewhat of a celebrity. People drove up and down highways hoping for a #backpackerjoe sighting. Cards were stuffed with gifts and well-wishes. Photos were taken and plastered to social media.

Lakin Gremillion created the Facebook page Where Is Backpacker Joe? and thousands followed his journey through the rest of the country as well as posted their own encounters.

The journey would once again be quieter as he left Louisiana though the Lord sent a companion in a young man named “Elijah.” Elijah and Joe met on the road after he left Louisiana, both traveling for Christ and joined together for the remainder of the trek. Without the prominence he’d had in Louisiana, it was at times harder but also more rewarding.

Joe recounts the time they were thirsty and tired with nothing in sight for miles as they walked across the Texas Panhandle. Out of nowhere a truck pulled up and offered them water. Seeing God provide for your needs without ever voicing them is a powerful lesson in faith.

I can’t help but think that Louisiana, a nearly halfway point in Backpacker Joe’s journey both in time and distance, was a gift from the Lord. It was a mountaintop experience and reward for Joe’s obedience. One can never stay on the mountaintop, the work must be done in the valley, but you can certainly celebrate while you’re there.

There was cause to celebrate. In the Lord’s divine timing, Backpacker Joe turned 30 as he traveled from Alexandria to Natchitoches. Driving up to deliver cards to Joe on his birthday, we were visiting on the side of the road as a dozen cars drove by waving and shouting “Happy Birthday” to a stranger the entire state had wrapped its arms around. It was incredible.

After arriving on the beaches of Santa Monica with Elijah and Joe’s mom Keltie who’d flown to California to walk the last day of the journey with her son, Joe spent some time in Las Vegas with family. He then began the slow drive back to Indiana stopping at National Parks along the way. He is scheduled to arrive in Louisiana this week.

“I am so grateful for all of the help and prayers from everyone. I definitely felt the love in Louisiana,” Joe shares. It is why he’s been planning a return visit.

Wanting to visit with those he met as well as those who didn’t get a chance to meet him, Joe has scheduled an informal meet and greet in Natchitoches on Friday, October 25 from 12-3 PM at StoryBrew Coffee Cafe, 780 Front Street Suite 104.

On Saturday, October 26 we will host a reception at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church’s Divine Providence Center from 12-3 PM. The reception will be open to the public. There is no cost to attend but we would greatly appreciate guests bringing a dessert or appetizer. The DPC is located at 530 21st Street, Alexandria.

Welcome back to Louisiana, Backpacker Joe!

For more info on these events or how you can help, email Jeanni at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.